The most important series of the year for the Red Sox begins on Thursday night, and Terry Francona has his full lineup intact for the opener.
The Tampa Bay Rays are in town for a pivotal four-game set, and both Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz will return to the Boston lineup. Gonzalez was removed from Wednesday's game with a tight calf, and Ortiz missed both games of the Toronto series with some back issues.
With their return, the Red Sox lineup gets back to normal with Dustin Pedroia returning to the two-hole, while Ortiz will hit cleanup with Kevin Youkilis right behind him.
Jeremy Hellickson will get the ball for the Rays in the opener of the series. The 24-year-old picked up a win against Boston last weekend on the heels of a six-inning effort in which he allowed three runs en route to the win.
Carl Crawford, who's hitting seventh and playing left for the Sox, has three career hits against his former teammate.
Kyle Weiland makes his fourth career start for Boston, and is still in search of the first win of his young career.
Here is the lineup that will look to help him get that first win.
Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Marco Scutaro, SS
Rays
Desmond Jennings, LF
B.J. Upton, CF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Johnny Damon, DH
Matt Joyce, RF
Casey Kotchman, 1B
John Jaso, C
Reid Brignac, SS
